Details of crash released

Father of responding sheriff's deputy injured

MENOMINEE - One of the three people injured in a head-on crash Wednesday evening in Wallace was the father of a sheriff's deputy who was among the first to arrive at the scene.

Friday, Menominee County Sheriff Kenny Marks released the names of all three of the injured people.

Anthony Joseph Ihander, 62, Daggett, was the sole occupant in the vehicle traveling northbound on U.S. 41 at 11:29 p.m. when it was struck by a southbound vehicle that crossed the centerline. Ihander was trapped and had to be extracted.

The crash took place on U.S. 41 near County Road G-08.

William Patrick Gentry, 43, and Tanya Rena Gentry, 41, Wallace, were traveling southbound on U.S. 41, crossed into the oncoming traffic lane and struck the northbound vehicle, Marks reported.

Both were ejected from the second vehicle. The Gentrys reside in Wallace, but are former Tennessee residents who moved to the area.

According to Marks, both were transported to BAMC and William Gentry was transported via helicopter to St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay.

Ihander was transported by ambulance to BAMC and then on to Theda-Clarke Medical Center in Neenah, Wis., to receive treatment for his injuries. Inhander is the father of Menominee County Deputy Aaron Ihander, who was on duty Wednesday evening and was dispatched to the accident scene.

"Deputy Aaron Ihander, Menominee County Sheriff Department, was one of two deputies working on night shift who responded to the crash scene," Marks said Friday. "On arrival as a first responder, Deputy Ihander saw that a vehicle involved in the crash (belonged) to his father, who was en route from work to his residence in Daggett.

"Public safety servants, working in law enforcement, EMS and fire rescue, never know when they may respond to an emergency with a family member, friend or neighbor. For many who serve their communities; that possibility is one of their greatest fears," Marks said.

Anthony Ihander underwent surgery and is recovering at the hospital.

The Menominee County Sheriff Department was assisted by a Michigan State Police accident reconstruction team. Other assisting agencies were the Mellen Fire Department, Mid-County Rescue and Extraction and BAMC Paramedics.

The preliminary investigation shows that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the crash, Marks said. The accident remains under investigation.